Spain earthquake: How a small quake caused so much damage [VIDEO]

Spain earthquake: The quakes that struck Spain Wednesday were seismically mild, but they occurred close to the surface, geologists say.

By
Andrea Mustain, OurAmazingPlanet Staff Writer /
May 12, 2011

A building lies in ruins in Lorca, after a rare earthquake rocked the town in southeastern Spain, causing houses to collapse, damaging historic churches and public buildings and killing at least six people Wednesday.

The two earthquakes in Spain Wedesday (May 11) that killed nine people and caused significant damage struck an area with a tame seismic history. Their shallow point of origin contributed to the deaths and destruction.

An estimated 10,000 people have been told not to return to their homes.

The quakes ripped masonry and bricks from buildings, according to the Associated Press.